EP3017920B1 - An industrial robot and a method for controlling an industrial robot - Google Patents

An industrial robot and a method for controlling an industrial robot Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3017920B1
EP3017920B1 EP15190255.8A EP15190255A EP3017920B1 EP 3017920 B1 EP3017920 B1 EP 3017920B1 EP 15190255 A EP15190255 A EP 15190255A EP 3017920 B1 EP3017920 B1 EP 3017920B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
manipulator
detection system
industrial robot
mechanical structure
control unit
Prior art date
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Application number
EP15190255.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3017920A1 (en
Inventor
Gian Paolo Gerio
Allan Mathias WIKLUND
Arturo Baroncelli
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Comau SpA
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Comau SpA
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Priority to PL15190255T priority Critical patent/PL3017920T3/pl
Publication of EP3017920A1 publication Critical patent/EP3017920A1/en
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Publication of EP3017920B1 publication Critical patent/EP3017920B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/16—Programme controls
    • B25J9/1674—Programme controls characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic
    • B25J9/1676—Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/16—Programme controls
    • B25J9/1602—Programme controls characterised by the control system, structure, architecture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J13/00—Controls for manipulators
    • B25J13/08—Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
    • B25J13/086—Proximity sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J13/00—Controls for manipulators
    • B25J13/08—Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
    • B25J13/088—Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices with position, velocity or acceleration sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J19/00—Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
    • B25J19/02—Sensing devices
    • B25J19/021—Optical sensing devices
    • B25J19/023—Optical sensing devices including video camera means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J19/00—Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
    • B25J19/06—Safety devices
    • B25J19/063—Safety devices working only upon contact with an outside object
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/16—Programme controls
    • B25J9/1656—Programme controls characterised by programming, planning systems for manipulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/16—Programme controls
    • B25J9/1674—Programme controls characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S901/00—Robots
    • Y10S901/14—Arm movement, spatial
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S901/00—Robots
    • Y10S901/30—End effector
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S901/00—Robots
    • Y10S901/46—Sensing device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to industrial robots that comprise a manipulator and a control unit of the manipulator.
  • the invention has been developed with particular reference to the question of co-operation between a human operator and such an industrial robot.
  • An industrial robot can normally operate in a manual mode and at least one automatic mode, which can usually be selected on the control unit of the manipulator.
  • the manual operating mode is selected for the purposes of programming of the robot and, in this mode, the manipulator can be manoeuvred via commands imparted manually by an operator; in the automatic operating mode, instead, the movement of the manipulator is governed exclusively by its control unit.
  • the activity of programming of a robot with a number of degrees of freedom basically consists in teaching the robot the path that a point of its manipulator will have to repeat automatically in the course of the normal working steps, for carrying out a certain operation.
  • This point is usually constituted by the so-called "Tool Center Point” (TCP), which identifies the position of the active part of an end effector of the manipulator, here understood as a machining tool or else as an ensemble consisting of a gripping device and the corresponding piece moved.
  • TCP Tool Center Point
  • the majority of the programming time is dedicated to governing the robot manually in order to identify the optimal points of the paths of movement of the TCP and store the corresponding co-ordinates thereof.
  • a portable programming terminal also known as "teach pendant” can be used, or else a manual guide device, directly mounted on the movable structure of the manipulator.
  • the operator uses specific pushbuttons of the teach pendant, known as jog buttons or jog keys, which govern movement of one or more axes of the robot.
  • jog buttons or jog keys which govern movement of one or more axes of the robot.
  • the reference systems “Joints”, “Base” and “Tool” are typically provided, where the system Joints refers to the joints of the robot (a vector in this system represents the angular positions of each of the joints) and the systems Base and Tool are cartesian reference systems, the former referring to the base of the robot and the latter to the end effector provided on the end flange of the robot.
  • manual guide devices enable the activity of programming of the robot to be rendered more intuitive since they basically consist of a sort of grip associated to the movable structure of the manipulator on which the programmer acts to get the manipulator itself to perform the desired movements in the programming stage.
  • a force sensor that enables the control unit to recognise the direction of displacement desired by the programmer (see, for example, US 6212443 A ).
  • a joystick device may be provided (see, for example, US8412379 B ).
  • control unit of a robot is able to operate according to three different modes or states, namely a Programming mode, an Automatic mode, and a Remote mode.
  • an operator acts in the vicinity of the manipulator, as explained previously, in order to govern operation thereof, store the programming steps, and program the operating activity, by means of the teach pendant or the manual guide device.
  • the step of programming of the robot is clearly the one that involves greater risks for an operator, who must follow closely the TCP in order to check visually positioning thereof, moving continuously around the manipulator. For this reason, in the Programming mode restrictions of speed to the movements of the manipulator are normally activated.
  • the operator has then available in his own hands an emergency-stop pushbutton and an enabling device, which are both present on the terminal.
  • the enabling device is not kept active manually by the operator, the manipulator cannot perform any movement.
  • the grip itself constitutes a sort of enabling device given that its release by the operator causes an arrest of the movement of the robot.
  • the robot executes an operating program of its own, obtained as explained above, possibly in combination with other robot or automatic apparatuses, normally within a cell protected from access of staff, but under visual control of an operator.
  • the robot executes an operating program of its own within a cell normally protected from access of staff, but in this case start of execution of the program comes from a cell supervisor, such as a PLC, which, for example, controls both the robot and other automatic apparatuses present in the cell itself.
  • a cell supervisor such as a PLC
  • US 2014/067121 A1 discloses an industrial robot and a control method having the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 11.
  • EP 1724072 A1 discloses an industrial robot comprising an accelerometer mounted on the robot for monitoring movement of a tool assembly attached to an end effector for safety monitoring purposes.
  • the accelerometer provides an output signal to the robot controller, which the controller uses to monitor the robot movement and stop that movement when a predetermined values of acceleration, speed and distance are detected during lead-through teaching of the robot.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an industrial robot and a control system for an industrial robot that will render possible a high degree of co-operation between a human operator and an industrial robot operating automatically, but without jeopardizing the necessary requisites of safety.
  • references to "an embodiment” or “one embodiment” in the framework of the present description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment.
  • phrases such as “in an embodiment” or “in one embodiment” and the like that may be present in various parts of the present description do not necessarily all refer to one and the same embodiment.
  • the particular configurations, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiments.
  • the references used in what follows are provided merely for convenience and do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.
  • FIG. 1 Represented schematically in Figure 1 is an industrial robot according to one embodiment of the invention, comprising a manipulator 1 with a number of degrees of freedom, having a mechanical structure 2 that comprises a plurality of movable parts.
  • the robot is an anthropomorphic robot with six degrees of freedom having a stationary base 3 and a column 4 rotatably mounted on the base 3 about a first axis A1 oriented vertically.
  • Designated by 5 is an arm mounted oscillating on the column 4 about a second axis A2 oriented horizontally.
  • Designated by 6 is an elbow, mounted on the arm 5 so as to turn about a third axis A3, which is also oriented horizontally, the elbow 6 supporting a forearm 7, designed to turn about its axis A4, which consequently constitutes a fourth axis of movement of the manipulator 1.
  • the forearm 7 is equipped at its end with a wrist 8, mounted for movement according to two axes A5 and A6.
  • an end effector designated by 9, which in the example is represented by a device for gripping a generic component 10.
  • TCP Tool Center Point
  • the end effector 9 may be of any other type and be able to perform any other function known in the sector, for example a welding torch or welding jaw, a paint-spray gun, or a gun for application of a sealant, a drilling or grinding spindle, etc.
  • the movable parts 4-8 are connected together by means of joints 11, 12, 13 and 14, associated to which are respective electric motors 11', 12', 13', and 14', with corresponding gear-reducer transmission.
  • the joints and the motors for the wrist 8 are not illustrated in the figures for reasons of greater clarity.
  • the end effector 9 has respective actuator means, which are not represented either for reasons of clarity.
  • Associated to the aforesaid joints, i.e., to the corresponding motors, are corresponding transducers, for example of an encoder or resolver type, for control of position. Some of these transducers are designated by S in Figure 1 .
  • the movements of the manipulator 1 and the operations that can be carried out by the end effector 9 are managed by a control unit 15, which is located in a remote position with respect to the structure 2 and is connected to the electrical/electronic parts of the latter via a cable 16.
  • the practical embodiment of the hardware and of the software regarding the unit 15, which is provided with a respective microprocessor control system, are independent of the purposes of the present description, apart from some aspects referred to hereinafter that pertain to the invention.
  • the control unit 15 is configured for controlling the manipulator 1 in a plurality of different operating modes, amongst which at least one automatic operating mode and preferably also a manual operating mode.
  • the unit 15 comprises selection means 17, which can be operated by a user for selection of a desired operating mode from among the ones possible.
  • the robot is able to operate in three selectable modes, i.e., a Programming mode, an Automatic mode, and a Remote mode, as indicated in the introductory part of the present description.
  • the reference 17 hence designates a device for manual selection of the desired operating mode from among the ones indicated.
  • This program or software that supervises operation of the manipulator 1, in the three modes indicated.
  • This program - represented schematically by block 18 - preferably includes at least one dynamic model for control of the manipulator 1.
  • the software 18, or the corresponding dynamic model can be defined according to any technique in itself known in the sector for controlling industrial robots, and consequently will not be described in detail herein.
  • this program or model includes the relations that express at least the theoretical values of position, speed, and acceleration of the parts of the movable structure of the manipulator 1 (including its motors) for the purposes of control of its movement, as well as the relations that express theoretical values of torque applied by the electric motors of the various connection joints provided.
  • the transducers S are obviously used.
  • an operator in the Programming mode, an operator "simulates" a machining step, which the manipulator 1 will then be called upon to perform in the Automatic or Remote mode, by varying the posture of the manipulator itself via a teach pendant or else a manual guide device (or possibly in OLP mode).
  • the movements of the manipulator are instead governed directly by the control unit 15.
  • the electric motors associated to the joints and to the wrist of the structure 2 are driven by the unit 15 according to working-speed profiles determined by the control program 18, i.e., by the corresponding dynamic model.
  • the industrial robot according to the invention includes a first detection system, prearranged for detecting the possible presence of an operator - or more in general of a foreign body - in a predefined working area of the manipulator 1.
  • This detection system may for example comprise one or more devices selected from among image-sensor devices, light-beam sensing devices (visible and non-visible light), radiofrequency devices, force-transducer devices.
  • the first detection system includes a surveillance system based upon the use of a plurality of image-recording units.
  • Systems of this type are in themselves well-known in the field and do not require any in-depth description.
  • different recording units record images of a three-dimensional area undergoing surveillance, and a processing unit detects the presence of foreign bodies in the three-dimensional area, on the basis of comparisons made between the images recorded by the various units.
  • US2009268029 A the teachings of which are considered as being incorporated herein for reference.
  • a sensing device including a plurality of image-recording units, for example obtained according to the technique described in the aforesaid US2009268029 A (see, in particular, Figure 4 of this prior document).
  • the three-dimensional area, designated by 20, undergoing surveillance by the device 19 is the area within the limits of which the movable structure 2 of the manipulator 1 is able of move, in particular with reference to its most extreme part - here represented by the end effector including the gripping device 9 and by the corresponding piece 10 being handled (it may be noted that in Figure 2 , as in Figures 3 and 5-7 , the working area 20 of the manipulator 1 is represented with dimensions smaller than those theoretically possible in view of the articulations of the manipulator itself).
  • the robot according to the invention moreover includes a second detection system, comprising one or more inertial sensors installed on the manipulator 1.
  • a second detection system comprising one or more inertial sensors installed on the manipulator 1.
  • three inertial sensors 21 are, for example, provided, mounted respectively on the arm 5, on the forearm 7, and on the end effector 9.
  • the sensors 21 are accelerometers of a commercial type, but not excluded from the scope of the invention is the case of use of gyroscopes.
  • the industrial robot according to the invention moreover includes a third detection system, which comprises means for measuring the torque applied by at least some of the electric motors of the manipulator 1, such as for example the motors 11'-14' and the motors associated to the wrist 8.
  • the means for measuring the torque may be of any type known in the sector.
  • measurement of the torque is carried out indirectly, and for this purpose means for measuring the current absorbed by the aforesaid motors are provided.
  • the program 18 implemented in the control unit 15 includes the relations existing between the values of torque that can be applied by the aforesaid motors and the corresponding current absorptions.
  • These measuring means which preferably comprise one or more amperometric sensors in the control unit 15, are represented schematically in Figure 1 by block 22.
  • the unit 15 is prearranged in such a way that - when the robot operates automatically (i.e., in the Automatic mode or in the Remote mode), detection by the first detection system 19 of the presence of a foreign body, i.e., an operator, within the working area 20 determines automatic selection of a Safe Automatic Operating mode.
  • the control unit 15 governs reduction of the driving speeds of the electric motors of the manipulator 2 with respect to the working speeds imposed by the control program for carrying out the machining operations in Automatic or Remote mode.
  • the speeds of the motors are reduced to safety speeds determined by the program 18 for the Safe Automatic Operating mode. These safety speeds are not higher than a predetermined speed threshold, deemed sufficiently safe: preferably, this threshold is 250 mm/s.
  • control unit 15 governs return of the robot to the condition of normal operation, i.e., to the Automatic mode or to the Remote mode originally selected manually.
  • control unit 15 - in addition to reducing the speed of the motors - monitors the state of the aforesaid second and third detection systems 21 and 22 in order to detect a possible impact between movable parts of the structure 2 of the manipulator 1 and the operator HO (or other foreign body) present in the working area 20 undergoing surveillance by the first detection system 19.
  • both of the detection systems 21 and 22 are used for this purpose. Detection of any possible impact based upon the use of the accelerometers 21 is made by comparing cyclically the theoretical acceleration values determined by the control program 18 with the real acceleration values measured via the accelerometers 21.
  • the specific algorithm of comparison may be of any type deemed suitable for the purpose. For instance, a possible criterion is to calculate the difference between the theoretical value of acceleration and the value of acceleration measured and to verify whether this difference is equal to or higher than a predefined threshold, for example equal to 10% of the theoretical value of acceleration.
  • accelerometers or other inertial sensors proves perfectly suitable for detecting impacts of an impulsive type, i.e., instantaneous or sudden impacts against the movable structure of the manipulator, which in a unit of time (for example 1 s) give rise to a high energy and as such generate in an inertial sensor a pulse that is clearly distinguishable (consider, for example, an operator who bumps against the structure of the robot with an arm or with a generic rigid object that he has in his hand).
  • an impulsive type i.e., instantaneous or sudden impacts against the movable structure of the manipulator
  • a unit of time for example 1 s
  • the signals generated by this type of sensors do not enable precise discrimination (if not at the expense of a considerable burdening of the control logic and of the processing capacity of the unit 15) of impacts of a non-impulsive type, i.e., contacts with the structure of the robot that are prolonged and that in the unit of time have a low energy (consider, for example, the case of a part of the movable structure of the manipulator that exerts a progressive pressure on a part of the body of an operator).
  • the control unit 15 in parallel to monitoring of possible collisions by the system of accelerometers 21, also carries out monitoring based upon analysis of the torque applied by the motors that drive the movable parts of the manipulator 1. Also in this case, basically the unit 15 cyclically compares the theoretical values of torque determined by the control program 18 with the values of torque measured via the detection system 22. In the example considered herein, as has been said, this type of monitoring is indirect and based upon the comparison between the theoretical absorptions and the real absorptions of the electric motors associated to the mobile parts of the manipulator 1. Also in this case, the specific algorithm of comparison may be of any type deemed suitable for the purpose. For instance, also in this case a possible criterion is to calculate the difference between the theoretical value of absorption and the measured value of absorption and verify whether this difference is equal to or higher than a predefined threshold, for example equal to 10% of the theoretical value of acceleration.
  • a predefined threshold for example equal to 10% of the theoretical value of acceleration.
  • the systems 21 and 22 must be understood as complementary to one another, for the purposes of a more convenient and prompt detection of any possible impact of movable parts of the manipulator 1 against the operator HO or another foreign body present in the working area 20.
  • control unit 15 governs arrest of the movement of the structure 2 of the manipulator 1 or else governs a reversal of its movement, in particular prior to its arrest, for example for a given travel (the manipulator may be driven in reverse until it assumes a predefined posture, for example with the parts of its structure in a position as vertical as possible). Arrest or reversal of movement is aimed at safeguarding the operator HO after an impact is detected.
  • the reduced speed enables effective co-operation between the operator and the robot also for the purposes of execution of a machining operation, for example with the operator who passes a workpiece to the manipulator, or else who picks up a machined piece from the manipulator, or again with the manipulator that supports a piece on which the operator carries out a manual operation or an operation performed with the aid of a tool, for example a wrench.
  • Exit of the operator HO from the area 20 automatically determines restoration of the normal working condition of the robot, such as the Automatic mode or the Remote mode, at the highest speed envisaged by the program for normal operation.
  • Figure 4 represents a simplified block diagram, aimed at exemplifying a possible control program for an industrial robot, limitedly to the part that pertains to the present invention.
  • Block 100 is the block representing start of the program, for example on occasion of a start command imparted via the unit 15.
  • Control passes to the test block 101, via which a check is made to verify whether a manual mode is selected (Programming mode). If it is (output YES), control passes to block 102 for management of programming of the robot, according to modalities in themselves known that are irrespective of the present invention. If it is not (output NO), an automatic mode (Automatic or Remote mode) is selected, and control that then passes to block 103, for management of operation of the robot according to the working program defined by the specific application, also in this case according to modalities in themselves known that are irrespective of the present invention.
  • Control then passes to the next block 104, for activation of the first detection system 19, i.e., the system for surveillance of the working area of the manipulator 1.
  • the next test block 105 a check is made to verify whether the system 19 detects or not the presence of an operator HO (or, more in general, of a foreign body) in the working area 20. If it does not (output NO), the check is repeated, whereas if it does (output YES), control passes to block 16, for activation of the Safe Automatic Operating mode, with consequent reduction of the speed of displacement of the structure of the manipulator. Control then passes to block 107, for monitoring any possible impact by the detection systems 21 and 22.
  • the diagram of Figure 4 is provided merely by way of example, in so far as it is aimed at summing up in an intuitive way the steps of the control method proposed.
  • the control made by the detection system 19 it is preferable for the control made by the detection system 19 to be carried out in a constant way (unlike what is represented by block 105 of Figure 4 ) so that, when the operator HO moves back out of the working area 20 of the manipulator 1, the robot exits autonomously from the Safe Automatic Operating mode, to return to the Automatic or Remote mode.
  • the first detection system is not necessarily based upon the use of image-sensor devices, it being possible for any other presence-detection system to be used for the purpose.
  • Figure 5 represents schematically the case of a presence-detection system based upon the use of force sensors.
  • the working area 20 of the manipulator 1 is subtended by a platform or base 19 1 , associated to which are force sensors or load cells (not indicated) designed to detect the presence on the platform itself of foreign bodies that have a weight higher than a certain threshold, for example 1 kg.
  • a certain threshold for example 1 kg.
  • Figure 6 represents schematically the case of a presence-detection system based upon the use of light-beam devices or light-barrier devices, for example laser scanners 19 2 arranged so that the beams emitted circumscribe at least in part the working area 20 of the manipulator 1.
  • the scanners circumscribe the entire area 20 laterally, but the latter could be circumscribed in part by means of metal structures and in part via a laser scanner.
  • other devices may be used for the purpose designed to generate light beams or light barriers that, when interrupted by the operator HO, determine passage of the robot into the Safe Automatic Operating mode.
  • the robot In applications of this type, it is preferable for the robot to be restored to the normal working condition (i.e., the Automatic or Remote mode) manually, for example by acting on a control means purposely provided on the control unit 15, in order not to complicate surveillance of the presence-detection system excessively.
  • the normal working condition i.e., the Automatic or Remote mode
  • Figure 7 represents schematically the case of a presence-detection system based upon the use of radiofrequency devices, in particular an RFID system.
  • the identification system comprises a portable transponder 19 3 , in particular configured for being carried by an operator HO.
  • the transponder 19 3 is associated to a band 25 that the operator HO carries on his arm.
  • the transponder 19 3 may of course be associated to other objects or garments that have to be worn or carried by an operator, such as, for example, a jacket, a glove, a badge, goggles, etc.
  • the detection system then comprises a transponder reader 19 4 , installed within the working area 20.
  • the transmission/reception range of the RFID system 19 3 - 19 4 is chosen in such a way as to cover a three-dimensional area at least corresponding to the range in which the manipulator 1 is able to move.
  • An RFID system of the type indicated may be used to advantage in combination with a different surveillance system, for example a system based upon image sensors of the type designated previously by 19.
  • the control logic of the robot may be prearranged so as to implement different safety levels, i.e., to guarantee co-operation of the robot according to the invention only with qualified operators.
  • the RFID system may be prearranged so as to cover a three-dimensional area 20 at least equal to or larger than the one covered by the system 19, for example substantially corresponding to the working area 20 of the manipulator 1.
  • a "non-authorized" operator enters the area 20
  • his presence is in any case detected by the system 19, with the control unit 15 that consequently stops movement of the manipulator 1.
  • one or more movable parts of the latter covering elements that preferably have a structure that is at least in part yielding.
  • FIG. 8 An example of this sort is represented schematically in Figure 8 , where associated to the arm 5 and to the forearm 7 of the manipulator 1 are covering elements, designated by 30, with a substantially tubular shape, these basically having the function of attenuating any possible impact between the aforesaid parts and an operator.
  • the specific conformation of the covering elements 30 provided may be different from the one exemplified, in particular so as to reproduce the profile of the structure of the manipulator 1, without significantly increasing the encumbrance thereof.
  • the inertial sensor or sensors of the second detection system that equips the robot according to the invention may be associated to the covering element or elements provided.
  • control unit of the robot according to the invention is prearranged for storing information representing acceleration values measured via the detection system based upon the inertial sensors 21.
  • This measure may prove particularly useful for diagnostic purposes and for verifying the state of service and operation of the manipulator.
  • a periodic comparison between theoretical acceleration values determined by the control software of the robot and values actually detected by the sensors 21, stored in the control unit 15 and possibly processed (for example, to obtain mean values).
  • the sensors 21 are in any case kept active in the course of the machining operations carried out in Automatic or Remote mode. Comparison between the theoretical values and the real ones may be made via a purposely provided diagnostic program implemented on the control unit 15. The presence of significant deviations between the expected values and those actually measured may be considered as representing possible problems of the mechanical structure of the manipulator, for example due to onset of play or yielding.
  • the invention may be applied on industrial robots of different sizes and loads, and hence both robots for modest loads (for example, a few kilograms) and robots for high loads (for example, hundreds of kilograms), as well as on robots of a type different from the anthropomorphic ones exemplified herein, for example robots with cartesian configuration, cylindrical configuration, polar configuration, and SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) configuration. Consequently, also the joints that connect the rigid parts of the movable structure of the manipulator may be of a different type according to the type of robot, such as rotoidal joints, prismatic joints, or helical joints.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
EP15190255.8A 2014-11-07 2015-10-16 An industrial robot and a method for controlling an industrial robot Active EP3017920B1 (en)

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MX350110B (es) 2017-08-28
ES2648295T3 (es) 2017-12-29
EP3017920A1 (en) 2016-05-11
CN105583826A (zh) 2016-05-18
MX2015015442A (es) 2016-05-06
US10005184B2 (en) 2018-06-26
BR102015027352A2 (pt) 2016-05-24
US20160129595A1 (en) 2016-05-12
CA2909755C (en) 2018-09-18
JP3223826U (ja) 2019-11-07
PL3017920T3 (pl) 2018-02-28
CA2909755A1 (en) 2016-05-07
JP2016087785A (ja) 2016-05-23
CN105583826B (zh) 2018-05-25

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